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In the middle of the hall is a stupa with an image of the Buddha in a sermon pose, seated as on a chair. Look up to the ceiling and admire the ribbed effect as on a human form. One painting of an expressive face of some celestial being is all that remains of the various painting on the ceiling.
Written Mar 2, 2012
There are three entrance to this cave which has numerous statues of the Buddha, including a sleeping one of the left-hand side of the cave. In this statue, we see the figure of the Buddha lying on his right side with his right hand supporting his head. A little further on is the Temptation of the Buddha by Mara and his beautiful daughters. This is a finely carved relief with the female form celebrated in all its glory.
Written Mar 2, 2012
This cave has a shrine with the statue of the Buddha in a teaching pose. There are two standing Boddhisatvas on either side of him, each with a flywhisk on their right shoulders. Only the chisel marks remain on the ceiling of the shrine as most of the murals have faded away. A small portion remains in parts of the cave, each as beautifully painted as in the other caves. The pillars are also intricately carved.
Written Mar 2, 2012
This unfinished hall has a statue of the Buddha in the lotus pose with the arms at chest height as though explaining a point. Not to be missed are the images of two deer seated below him, again reminiscent of the Buddha’s first sermon after attaining Enlightenment at the Deer Park at Sarnath. On top of the shrine are smaller images of the Buddha, again in the lotus pose.
Written Mar 2, 2012
This assembly hall is dated to be much later than the other chaityas but the older pattern, layout and ornamentation has been followed. Of special significance is the imitation of wooden rafters on the ceiling which resemble the ribs of a human body. There is a huge stupa in the centre of the hall with plenty of space all around. In the middle is a large statue of a standing Buddha. The pillars are equally well-decorated while the ceilings and the walls have numerous eye-catching murals. The façade of the cave is also richly decorated with innumerable sculptures of Buddha and other images.
Written Mar 2, 2012
Yet another shows a couple proceeding on a journey whilst a lady-in-waiting holds an umbrella over the head of the consort. The apsara with a bejewelled head gear is especially appealing. The ceilings of this cave are also full of detailed murals but are larger and more cohesive than in the other caves.
Written Mar 1, 2012
This is yet another magnificent vihara not only for its beautifully carved pillars and sculptures but also for its sensuous murals of apsaras (nymphs), one of which was used (The Flying Apasara) during the Miss World Contest held in Bangalore, India in 1996. One detailed mural shows a king offering a cup of wine to his consort while a helper stands next to the consort ready to replenish with a wine jug. The expression of shy denial by the lady is delineated skilfully.
Written Mar 1, 2012
Most of the paintings in this cave have been destroyed but the ones that remain speak volumes of the skill of the painters. One depicts the forcible conversion of Nanda, the half-brother of the Buddha while the others convey a few jataka stories showing the Solomon-like wisdom of Mahosadha.
Written Feb 29, 2012
The Flying Couple sculpture in front of the main hall is truly eye-catching. This cave is one of the beautiful viharas (dwelling places or monasteries) of Ajanta. The front pillars, like the ones inside are richly carved while the paintings equals, if not surpasses others in the different caves of Ajanta.
Of special importance is a huge statue of the Buddha in a sermon pose seated, as on a chair. There is ample space behind and by the sides of the statue to perform a circumambulation right round it.
Don’t miss the different expressions of a sculpture hewn at the top of a pillar near the ceiling when you shine a torch at it from different angles.
Written Feb 29, 2012
The window above the entrance to this cave was first spotted by Capt. John Smith in 1819, over 1000 years after being hidden from view. This sighting led to the re-discovery of the astounding labour of love, faith, hope, religion and sedulity.
The cave is the earliest assembly hall and may have been the first cave to be excavated from amongst the 30 caves. It contains the largest number of paintings. Don’t miss the painting on the left wall behind the third pillar. This is a record of the progress of the painting going on in the cave. Unfortunately, many of the paintings have been desecrated by vandals who have scribbled on the paintings.
In the cave, two jatakas are still distinct. One is of Sama, the sole supporter of his blind parents, who was killed by an arrow of the king of Varanasi but later brought to life. The other story is about Chhaddanta, a royal elephant and his two wives. One wife gets him killed by a hunter as she thinks that her husband loves the other wife only. However, she dies out of contriteness when the hunter brings back the royal elephant’s tusks to her as proof of the killing. Shine your torch from the side (almost touching the painting) at the necklace worn by the ladies in the paintings and watch it glow.
Written Feb 29, 2012
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The window above the entrance to this cave was first spotted by Capt. John Smith in 1819, over 1000 years after being hidden from view. This sighting led to the...
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U will find Human chest skeleton designed on the roof of the caves carved 900 years back by the great Humans...! It is really a World Heritage.
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The Buddhists Caves of Ajanta were one of the country's earliest monastic institutions and are the only reason, really, to come to Ajanta! Ajanta lies 105km NE of Aurangabad and makes for a good day...
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The world famous Buddhist caves at Ajanta, also a World Heritage site, lie around 100km (60 miles) to the northeast of Aurangabad. The splendid caves of Ajanta feature 30 rock cut caves that date back...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Ajanta. I'd love to share with you the 1 tip I've written, the 3 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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I've got some interesting experiences in Ajanta. I'd love to share with you the 5 tips I've written, the 22 photos uploaded, and 1 travelogue I've created.
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